So the macaques and anoa I think are going to be where the Przewalski’s horses were and the langurs (and possibly the babirusa) are going in the old sloth bear enclosure. As far as I’m aware!
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023
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So the macaques and anoa I think are going to be where the Przewalski’s horses were and the langurs (and possibly the babirusa) are going in the old sloth bear enclosure. As far as I’m aware!
I believe they have had some off show for a while. Don’t think London has had any for a few years now
cerperal
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That would make sense - once again Whipsnade giving oodles of space to species that don't necessarily need it but would certainly benefit. It's a shame the sloth bears won't return, but I suppose that Colombo and his lineage were an exceptionally rare subspecies in Europe and would make finding new bears rather tricky.
Very much looking forward to my upcoming visit, especially with the prospect of so much more in just a year or so. After years of general negatively around ZSL things are looking very positive indeed!
Kalaw
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Not sure what species of langur will be on display (haven't seen it mentioned, although perhaps I missed it) although London definitely still displays four Hanuman Langurs, at least on my visit last visit. I doubt they will use the Hanumans, as it wouldn't be the most geographically accurate mix if they did...
I think the London Francois langurs are off-show at Whipsnade, so presume it will be them?
Lafone
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Had a lovely visit today - chilly but sunny in between rain showers. Animals out and about. Very quiet apart from school trips.
Cinderella the brown bear has emerged from her torpor (early last week apparently) and after going back a few times and then just camping out for an hour, saw her pottering about which was great.
The new bear paddock is looking nearly finished - some quick photos attached. The arrival of the new bears is apparently ‘imminent’ according to responses from keepers to a couple of questions from the public I overheard. So the house improvements are a phase 2 it seems and there’s just a hard standing at the end of the new space. New space is good though and looks smart and well finished. Inside the existing main bear enclosure are a number of new constructions for hanging food / enrichment etc - photo of the ones by the pool (which is all clean and tidy too) also attached.
In the same conversation the departure of Khari back to Blackpool and the arrival of two female lions was mooted as ‘soon’ so who knows whether that’s accurate but thought it was interesting anyway. Guess much depends on the readiness of the Blackpool quarters.
Tigers and cheetahs were super active which was great. Managed to be lurking at the otters as an accompanied school education group turned up who had someone with them feeding the animals so got some great shots. Always lucky when that happens.
The female elephants and calf were all in the rear paddock behind the house and the main grass paddock was closed off including the access down the fence side for the public, presumably due the wet weather and mud.
Construction hut / containers and other equipment increased in numbers since my last visit around the new macaque area so looks like work there is imminent now planning permission is in place.
Cinderella the brown bear has emerged from her torpor (early last week apparently) and after going back a few times and then just camping out for an hour, saw her pottering about which was great.
The new bear paddock is looking nearly finished - some quick photos attached. The arrival of the new bears is apparently ‘imminent’ according to responses from keepers to a couple of questions from the public I overheard. So the house improvements are a phase 2 it seems and there’s just a hard standing at the end of the new space. New space is good though and looks smart and well finished. Inside the existing main bear enclosure are a number of new constructions for hanging food / enrichment etc - photo of the ones by the pool (which is all clean and tidy too) also attached.
In the same conversation the departure of Khari back to Blackpool and the arrival of two female lions was mooted as ‘soon’ so who knows whether that’s accurate but thought it was interesting anyway. Guess much depends on the readiness of the Blackpool quarters.
Tigers and cheetahs were super active which was great. Managed to be lurking at the otters as an accompanied school education group turned up who had someone with them feeding the animals so got some great shots. Always lucky when that happens.
The female elephants and calf were all in the rear paddock behind the house and the main grass paddock was closed off including the access down the fence side for the public, presumably due the wet weather and mud.
Construction hut / containers and other equipment increased in numbers since my last visit around the new macaque area so looks like work there is imminent now planning permission is in place.
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Ahhh I forgot about the François langurs! I just heard langurs and assumed the Hanumans! Thanks for clearing it up.
You’re welcome!
Are these two females for Whipsnade, or to accompany the male back to Blackpool? If it’s the latter, any further developments in establishing a new group at Whipsnade? Seems to have gone quiet regarding the lions lately.
Lafone
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The keeper said Khari leaving and two females arriving / swapping: it was in a conversation with quite a lot of people around to a couple of people asking about the lions and the former sloth bear enclosure. Obviously pinch of salt stuff but seemed to imply they were for whipsnade.
Charles
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What type of macaques are going in this area?
Lafone
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Sulawesi crested macaques.
Great for her as I could tell on my last visit how her mum was fedup of her being around… hoping for another new baby rhino in future
Great for her as I could tell on my last visit how her mum was fedup of her being around… hoping for another new baby rhino in future
Pretty sure they confirmed this was the last breeding of Indian rhino's at whipsnade due to the age of the girls unfortunately.
The two girls would only be 27 this year? They could still have another calf or two.
I suspected this was so when I saw Zhiwa as a small calf during the week just before the Pandemic was made official. I doubt there will be another calf now until such time as these two females are eventually replaced. The other one is a non-breeder nowadays anyway.
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Certainly about time the bears had an upgraded holding/sleeping area etc. Afaik they are still using very primitive dens situated offshow behind the main exhibit which were presumably built at the same(?) time as the main exhibit. One visit I heard repetetive banging coming from that direction- obviously a bear shut inside at the back where you can't see them.
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